Donington burglar (63) struck at house and garage

Court news

Published:10:13Wednesday 02 March 2016

Share this article

A burglar stole tools worth almost £3,500 from a garage and cash and a laptop from a house after the door was left unlocked.

Edward Ernest Davis (63), of Station Street, Donington admitted stealing tools and other items worth £3,445 from the garage in Burton Lane, Billingborough, on November 19, and entering a house in Eastgate, Heckington, and stealing a laptop, handbag and cash on January 4.

Prosecuting, Daniel Pietryka told Grantham Magistrates Court that in November the man who lived at the Billingborough property left two days before the burglary.

He returned to find his garage had been broken into and a range of tools stolen including a drill and a tripod.

Mr Pietryka said Davis had originally gone to the property to steal heating oil. After taking it, he noticed the tools in the garage and forced his way in.

Mr Pietryka said in January the houseowner left his Heckington property in the early hours to go to work and left the door unlocked.

He saw two males walk down the street past him. He returned home for a short while at 3am to find the door open, but he thought he hadn’t shut it properly. He took some milk and went back to work.

When he returned home at 8am he realised he had been burgled and his laptop, a whisky bottle containing coins and a handbag had been taken.

Rob Arthur, defending, said Davis made a full admission to police and told them most of the stolen items from the garage had been recovered.

He said Davis had stolen the oil and then seen the items in the garage. In Heckington, Davis had said the door was wide open and he walked in and took the items.

Magistrates asked for a full probation report and adjourned the case to March 24.

Davis was granted bail on condition he stayed at his Station Street address and remained indoors between 9pm and 7am.